Stags in the wood pile.

[Beagletorque]

Was cutting some wood for the stove from the wood pile and out popped....





First "macros" of 2015!

They look like Third Instar Stag Beetle Larva, not sure I needed the macro lens as they were so big!

Put back to bed in the same logs and tucked into a quiet corner of the garden....

[brian1208]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

Excellent shots and good information - thanks


(they look almost good enough to eat! )

[byegad]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

Lovely with a little olive oil and pepper and gently heated.

[Jim Ford]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

Where abouts are you (OK - "England"!)? We don't get them around here, unfortunately.

Jim

[Falk]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

Great find and photos. I had a similar experience a few years back, but with a "rhino beetle" larva. The two are about the same in size and appearence. Nice move to place him/her back ...

[Beagletorque]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

Lovely with a little olive oil and pepper and gently heated.

That's what my wife said!

Where abouts are you (OK - "England"!)? We don't
get them around here, unfortunately.

Jim

Near to Milton Keynes, so I'm sure you would get them in Herts!

[Jim Ford]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

Near to Milton Keynes, so I'm sure you would get them in Herts!

I understand Stag Beetles are very local. They're said to be in Cheshunt, but I've never heard of reports in Watford, though there is extensive ancient woodland here.

Apparently they're attracted to the spice ginger:

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/rese...agbeetles.aspx

"According to Dr Deborah Harvey from Royal Holloway, one of the study's authors: “Our new methods offer genuine promise for monitoring the population of this elusive and rare insect, one that we think is declining across much of its European range. We need to know where the stag beetle lives – and in what numbers – to be able to conserve it effectively.”"

The larvae also 'talk' to each other!

Dr Harvey was taking reports of Stag Beetle sightings, and may be interested in yours.

Jim

[Peter_Hartland]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

Nice images, can't help on the identification I'm afraid

[Beagletorque]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

Jim, very interesting, thanks.
Andrew

[alfbranch]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

Nice shots of a very interesting subject I love them.

[Jim Ford]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

Nice shots of a very interesting subject I love them.

But I don't think you get them as far North as Cumbria, Alf?

Jim

[tomphotofx]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

Great images.

Tom

[KeithL]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

Good photos, not sure about the subject!!

Must be the season for creepy-crawlies.....

[alfbranch]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

But I don't think you get them as far North as Cumbria, Alf?

Jim

I do not think I will be finding any locally when I start looking for ID of insects it is often easy to rule out many on location alone.

Good photos, not sure about the subject!!

Must be the season for creepy-crawlies.....

No that was summer

[pandora]

Re: Stags in the wood pile.

My first thought was, well that took care af lunch, and the I saw that others had similar thoughts.

Ive seen them in split wood here but never thought to photograph any. Good shots!